"Never mind, what was--" Juan stopped when he heard a footfall on the top step of the stairwell leading down into the hold. He turned toward the stairwell and saw Captain De la Garza's freshly shined boot. Juan's blood ran cold. He stood up and turned toward Bando again, who was already scrambling for the cover of the barrels.

"Stop, look down and shut up," Juan whispered. Bando began to panic. Juan began speaking loudly, "Goddamnit boy, I told you to stay in Cadiz. Do you realize what you've done; you could be killed for being here."

"He will be killed," came a voice from the stairs. "He will be killed now," said Miguel calmly as he stepped off of the bottom step and onto the floor of the hold.

"Captain, please spare the life of this boy, he is my squire of 3 months. I left him in Cadiz, but he followed me aboard. I am obliged by his family to look after his safety."

"Then it appears as though you are errant in your duties Señor Victoria," said the captain menacingly, as he stepped toward them, drawing his sword.

"Need I remind you of my travel letter, Captain?"

"Need I remind you Señor, of the punishment for harboring a stowaway on the King's Ship?" shouted the Captain. They stood nose to nose.

"No, Captain de la Garza you do not," said Juan, stepping aside.

Miguel stood with his sword point at Bando's chest. "Stand up", he commanded in Portuguese. Bando got up, knees shaking. The Captain motioned toward the stairs with his sword. "Both of you." Juan had untied his coin purse from his belt while Miguel had focused on Bando and deftly dropped it at Miguel's feet when they turned toward the stairs. It was the larger of the two purses he had brought with him. The Captain stepped on it then stared directly into Juan's eyes. Juan returned the stare but said nothing.

"How can I be certain he is yours, Señor Victoria?"

"Respectfully sir, you will simply have to accept my word as a Spanish Gentleman."

"And no doubt a rich Spanish Gentleman at that," said Miguel, as he rolled his boot over the purse, trying to gauge its contents.

"I used to be," said Juan, looking at Miguel's feet.

The Captain stopped moving his boot, looked at Bando, then at Juan. "He eats from your rations and sleeps in your berth."

"As you wish Captain."

"I'll tell the crew," Miguel said, picking up the purse. He walked up the stairs leaving Master and Squire alone. Bando sat down on the floor of the hold and crossed his legs to keep them from shaking. Juan placed a hand on the banister of the stairwell, lowered his head and breathed deeply in a vain attempt to calm his nerves.